The Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd., incorporated in 1863 is one of the oldest listed companies in the Indian registry of Joint-Stock companies. The BBTC has been in the plantation business since 1913. The plantations are located in the prime fertile hill ranges of South India. There being a sharper focus on environmental preservation, the company pioneered organic farming of tea in the year 1988.

FairTrade and BBTC
The three Groups namely Mudis, Singampatti, Dunsandle foundations come under one umbrella of operations.

Mudis Group
Established in 1914 and produces over 6.5 million kgs of tea annually. It employs around 3000 workers daily.

Singampatti Group
Established in 1929 and produces 0.5 million kgs of Organic tea and 1.1 million Kgs of conventional tea. It employs over 1300 workmen daily.

Dunsandle Estate
Purchased in 1938 and produces 0.16 million kgs of organic tea and 0.15 million Kgs of conventional tea annually and employs over 300 workmen daily.

Scholarship
Scholarships are given to the children for those pursuing their higher education.1794 students have benefited from this scheme, since this was instituted. Many of the beneficiaries are well settled in life and to cite an example.

Mrs. Jeeva narrates that “We have 2 children and both of the them received scholarships repeatedly for four years. My son graduated in Engineering and my daughter is working as a lecturer in a college. We are indebted to Mudis Foundation for the spontaneous help RENDERED to us for our children’s education.”

Medical Aid
Joint Body decided to extend specialist medical assistance to those who require treatment in multi-specialty hospitals for ailments of the heart, Kidney, Neuro etc.

Under this scheme Joint Body has so far helped 18 cases by utilizing Rs. 119,454/- or USD 2,550 from the Premium received.

The miraculous story of Selvaraj a worker of Thay Mudi Estate in his own words is, “On 12-10-2006, I was travelling pillion on a motorcycle. The rider and I met with an accident. I suffered a grievous head injury. I was rushed to a multi specialty hospital which saved my life. The Mudis foundation’s timely help of Rs. 10,000/- or USD 220 helped me with this expense.”

ECG Machine to Govt. Hospital, Valparai
The Joint Body donated an ECG machine to the Government Hospital Valparai, for the welfare of residents of Valparai Taluk. This has also benefited the residents of Valparai Taluk.

Death Fund
A demise in the family not only brings sorrow and grief to the bereaved family, but also certain immediate expenses to perform the last rites and expenses towards coffin and cremation. Joint Body decided that amount of Rs. 3000/- equivalent to USD 65 to be paid on the same day of the death to the bereaved family.Under this scheme Joint Body has helped 128 families by spending Rs. 288,000/- or
USD 6,150.

Thangamuthu quotes “My mother expired unexpectedly on 04-05-2007 the Foundation money towards funeral expenses was timely and I was not forced to go to money lenders whose interests rates I couldn’t afford.”

Insulated Lunch Boxes
Most of the employees carry a packed lunch to the work spots and more often than not it becomes cold and needs to be re-heated. The Joint Body decided to purchase Insulated Lunch boxes to all the employees. This has been appreciated as the contents, now stay warm and needs no re-heating. The total cost of 3100 Nos. Cello Thermostar II insulated Lunch Boxes was Rs. 557,460/- or USD 11,900.

To quote one of our workers Smt. Dhanalakshmi “The insulated lunch boxes is very handy and the contents retain heat for over 5 hrs. On seeing the benefits, my daughter also carries her lunch to school in a similar container.”

Differently Abled Persons
The joint body unanimously decided to allocate up to Rs. 8,000/- or USD 175 for treatment of people in this category as an annual allowance. It was also decided to give treatment by a professionally qualified physiotherapist to such children. The Joint Body decided unanimously to give a monthly stipend to those eligible by creating a corpus exclusively for this project.

Note Book for School Children
At the time of the commencement of new academic year, the parents are subjected to mandatory expenses, uniforms, and books for their children. The Joint Body decided to reduce the burden on the parents by providing note books

free of cost to the children of this region from 1st to 12th Standard. Note books worth of
Rs. 173,263/- or USD 3,700 was purchased. A total of 1324 students have benefited by this scheme in the year 2009. This year (2010) we have purchased note books worth Rs. 166,928/- or USD 3,600 and the distribution has been completed.

To quote Karuppasamy “We have four daughters who are all school going, the requirements for their schooling are expensive, any contributions we can get in this area would be very useful. The Foundations scheme came as a great relief to us.”

National Security Certificate and SBI Life Insurance
Although the employees enjoy terminal benefits like Provident Fund and Gratuity the Joint Body insured all the workers below the age of 55 years under a unique Life Insurance Scheme where a onetime Premium was paid.

National Security Bond was issued to the employees who were over 55 years and could not qualify for the above scheme. Under this scheme 2786 workers have been provided Life Insurance cover and 1414 workers National Security Certificate amounting to Rs. 14,794,500/- or USD 314,800.

Distribution of NSC/SBI Life Insurance

Rajasekar was a permanent employee of Thay Mudi Upper Division, died in a road accident near Pollachi. He was insured under Life Insurance as well as accident Insurance by Mudis Foundation. Rs. 9,000/- or USD 190 was received from life insurance scheme and Rs. 25,000/- or USD 540 was received from accident insurance scheme by his wife. His wife Mrs. Pappathy quotes “The demise of my husband put an additional burden on me and my children. The money I received at that time helped to overcome a lot of my problems”.

Aids Awareness Programme
An awareness programme on AIDS was organized for all the workers of Mudis Group, under the aegis of Mudis Foundation. The programmes aim was to reach out to the workmen and this was well attended. After the session there were interactive sessions with the company’s medical staff. To incentivise and ensure full participation, dinner coupons were issued to all the participants. Rs. 88,000/- or USD 1,760 was spent for this purpose.

Distribution of Eco Friendly Smokeless Ovens

2300 Nos of Smokeless Ovens were distributed to all the workers of the Mudis Foundation spending about Rs. 36,800,000/- or USD 790,000.

These ovens reduce the consumption of firewood, are smokeless and eco friendly.

To quote Mrs. Muthumari, “Majority of us are dependent on firewood for our daily cooking, we however still need

firewood to keep the living area warm, dry clothes, heat water etc. The smokeless ovens are ideal as they not only

serve the purpose but also reduce our firewood requirement.”

School Furniture for Government Higher Secondary School, Mudis

As the furniture in the Government School was inadequate, students had to resort to sitting on the floor. The joint body donated furniture worth of Rs. 101,100/- or USD 2,200 To improve the infrastructure and overcome this inadequacy.

During an informal discussion with students, Master. Marimuthu a 10th Std student explained how this has helped

them to concentrate better and apply themselves fully to their academies.

Central School Computer Centre

In 2009 the Joint Body decided to expand the existing Centre where we had 3 computers and 10 new computers with accessories were purchased.

At present more than 60 trainees from in and around Mudis Township, apart from 250 students of

Mudis Central School attend classes.

A trained teacher has been employed to impart computer education and allied skills. This scheme has helped in

providing computer education for the community around Mudis Township. Under this scheme Joint Body approved Rs. 258,220/- or USD 5,500.

Master Anish Robert, student of Mudis Central School gratefully acknowledges the computer education imparted to him at the school by Mudis Foundation. He says, “Learning Computer Education for a son of a worker in the hilly remote area was a dream, but the Mudis Foundation made it possible. Now I am studying in 9th standard at Valparai and I am proud to say among my friends that I possess sufficient knowledge in computer programmes. I am indebted to Mudis Foundation.”

SINGAMPATTI FOUNDATION

Janatha Personal Accident Insurance Policy National Insurance Co., Ltd.
The above policy covers all the employees with a sum assured Rs. 25,000/- or
USD 535. A sum of Rs. 221,290/- or USD 4,710 has been invested in this scheme. (Personal accident covering death, permanent disability)

Smt. Fathima, No.957 of Oothu Estate said that, “my husband Sri. Ahmedkutty was attacked by an elephant and died on 23.06.2007. During this difficult time I received Rs. 25,000/- or USD 535 under this insurance scheme and it was very useful to meet unexpected expenses.”

SBI Life Insurance Policies
It was decided in the General Body meeting held on 6th February, 2003 to issue Insurance Policies for all permanent workers. Accordingly 1,155 Nos. SBI Sudarshan Life Insurance policies were issued to workers who were on the rolls on 15th August, 1997, a single premium amounting to Rs. 4,000/- or USD 90 was paid for each employee. A sum of Rs. 4,620,000/- or USD 99,000 has been invested under this scheme.

Smt. Jebamani, No. 1701, W/o. Late Sri. Stephen says : I have received Rs. 11,051/- or USD 240 from the SBI Life policy after the death of my husband. This was very useful to clear my petty debts.

National Savings Certificate
It was also decided to issue Postal National Saving Certificates to the retired/resigned/nominee of the expired workers and all temporary workers whose names were on the rolls as on 15th August, 1997, at Rs. 4,000/- or USD 90 to Permanent employees and Rs. 900/- or USD 20 to temporary employees. About 1253 employees benefited under this scheme and a sum of Rs. 2,668,400/- or USD 57,000 has been invested under this scheme.

At a function organised The District Revenue Officer, Collectorate, Tirunelveli was present to issue the NSC to the workmen.

Sri. Krishnaswamy No. 1329, of Manimuttar Estate stated that, “the Fair Trade has reassured the community members by providing schemes like issuing National Saving Certificate, which will be helpful after our retirement to meet the day to day expenses. Earlier there was no such financial guarantee for the future. I thank the Fair Trade and Consumers who pay the extra premium for helping out the plantation community.”

Note Books to School Children
It was decided to issue note books to students studying in school. To ensure that a self sustaining fixed deposit has been created and all eligible children from 30th august will benefit from this programme.

Pressure Cooker
It was decided to issue a Pressure cooker to each family in order to reduce the fuel consumption and preserve the environment. A total of 900 Cookers for Rs. 832,500/- or USD 18,000 issued
Educational Scholarship Scheme
It was approved by the committee that a fixed deposit would be created and the interest generated from this will be distributed among the eligible candidates as Educational Scholarship on an annual basis to ensure that this programme is self sustaining. Accordingly it was decided to disburse scholarship to 126 children totaling for Rs. 120,000/- or USD 2600. The Foundation has so far distributed Rs. 571,925/- or USD 12,200 to 580 students.

Funeral Expenses
It was decided in the Joint Body to start a Welfare Scheme to assist in the funeral expenses. It was unanimously agreed and approved by the committee that a sum of Rs. 8,00,000/- or USD 17,200 will be deposited in Fixed Deposit to make this self sustaining. A total of Rs. 107,000/- or USD 2,300 for 52 families have benefited so far.

Sri. Mathiyalagan, No.2336 of Manjolai Estate, “I received Rs. 2,000/- or USD 45 from the Foundation. “This amount was very helpful to meet the unexpected expenses due to the sudden death of my father. Otherwise I would have borrowed this amount from a money lender at high interest rates. I thank the Foundation for introducing such schemes to benefit the employees.”

Medical Assistance Scheme
It was decided by the Joint Body to create a self sustaining fund for Medical Assistance to the employees of Singampatti Group. This fund has been created in July 2010.

Insulated Lunch Boxes
It was decided by the Joint Body to issue insulated lunch boxes to all workers to keep their lunch warm and reduce the amount of fuel for reheating. A total of 1,564 Nos., Cello Hot Boxes were purchased for Rs. 240,856/- or USD 5,200

DUNSANDLE FOUNDATION

Scholarship to School Children
The scholarships are being dispersed to the children of this area those who are doing higher education after their schooling.

Note Book to School Children
At the time of re-opening of the schools during June the parents of this area used to incur expenses to procure note books for their children. The Joint Body decided to issue free note books to the school going children.

This year we have purchased note books worth Rs. 20,000/- or USD 430 and 233 students have benefited from this scheme.

Death Fund
Death is unexpected and for immediate expenses like coffin and cremation a sizable amount is required. Rs. 3,000/- or USD 65 is being paid on the same day of the death to the bereaved family. Funeral expenses paid in 2010-2011 for 7 families are Rs. 21,000/- or USD 450 utilized for this purpose.

AIDS Awareness Programme
AIDS awareness programme was organized in all the Divisions of Dunsandle Estate and it was well attended by the employees both men and women.

NSC and SBI Life Insurance
Though terminal benefits like Gratuity and PF is available to all employees at the time of their retirement, the FLO Joint Body provided an insurance cover to the employees below the age of 55 and 6 years National Security Bonds were issued to the employees those who are above 55 years.

National Savings certificate issued to 148 employees and the total utilized amount is Rs. 394,000/- or USD 8,400 SBI Life Policy issued to 310 employees and the total utilized amount is Rs. 1,240,000/- or USD 26,400

Smt. Putyenketty PFNO. 748 retired recently, had run short of some money to complete her house in the native village in Mysore District. The money from SBI bond was a timely help as she could complete the construction in time before retirement. She thanked the fair trade initiative for the same.

Pressure Cooker
The workers normally use firewood for cooking. They require a large quantity of firewood for this. The Pressure cooker has reduced firewood consumption by nearly 70%.

296 employees benefited under this scheme and Rs. 2,00,000/- or
USD 4,300 utilized

Mrs. Vijayakumari says that after acquiring the pressure cooker she finds it more convenient to cook and save time. She thanked Fair Trade for extending this useful facility to them.